Steve Beal (Diageo: Single Malts) “Going for the Gold - You be the Judge”
You get a chance to examine whiskies from the point of view of one of the world's most respected international spirits competition judges. Steve Beal, Master of Whisky and judge for both The International Wine & Spirits Competition in the UK and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, will be joined by panelists from both. They will take you through a blind tasting and evaluation of six special whiskies of award winning quality. You will have a rare look into how the process takes place and the medals are awarded. You will also be able to polish your own whisky appreciation skills.
Steve Beal, of San Francisco, is the senior brand educator for the whisky portfolio of Diageo North America. He has served for over 13 years as an international spirits judge, broadcast presenter, spirits journalist and Master Mixologist educator with the United States Bartenders Guild. In 2010 the Scotch Whisky industry inducted him as a life member of the Keepers of the Quaich. His title at DIAGEO is Senior Master of Whisky. He has received numerous awards and is a well known media personality. He is also a chef and an ordained Anglican priest.
Michael “Mickey” Heads, David Blackmore (Ardbeg): A tale from a Distillery Manager's Taste of View”
Born on Islay and With over 30 years of working in the whisky industry it is fair to say that Mickey truly has Scotch whisky running through his veins! Having worked at Laphroaig, Jura, and now Ardbeg since 2007, Distillery Manager Mickey will guide us through the smoke at Ardbeg. Mr. Blackmore will be on hand to add his Brand Ambassador of the year ambiance to the Masterclass experience.
7:05pm:
Simon Brooking (Laphroaig) “Islay Neònach – Islay Rare”
Join ambassador Simon Brooking on an exploration of the Laphroaig distillery’s exclusive bottlings from past Feis Ile (Festivals).
Slàinte Mhath
Ian Chang (King Car Kavalan) “Whisky Making in Exotic Terroir”
Ian Chang, the Master Blender of Kavalan distillery, joined the company in 2005 when the construction of the distillery also started. Apart from doing his R&D and blending works at the distillery, Ian is also very much involved in the global business development and brand ambassadorial activities for Kavalan single malt whisky. Ian will take us through the history of Kavalan, how it all started and how to produce quality whisky in the subtropical climate of Taiwan.
8:10pm
Brendan Coyle (High West Distillery) “Whiskies: A Scientific Art”
Brendan, starting off at Redrock Brewing, Utah, went on to Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland to earn a Masters in Brewing and Distilling Sciences. After returning to Redrock, Brendan teamed up with David Perkins to develop a new brand from the ground up.
Brendan introduces us to What whiskey is and what it can be. Learn the scientific foundation which is responsible for a great whiskey. Explore the differences between light and straight whiskies and the importance of choosing a distillation style which complements the grains, yeast and fermentation. Finally, understand how blending can give you flavor profiles which aren't possible in single batches. Best of all, taste examples of what this ultimately means in the finished products.
Cigars and Whisk(e)y – A Perfect Pairing.
Ed Trevino with over 18 years in the premium tobacco industry has been trained on premium cigar manufacturing in 4 different countries. He is currently the Premium Sales Manager for Northern California, Nevada, and Hawaii with General Cigar Company, whose factories are in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. General Cigar Company is one of the top manufacturers in the United States of Premium Cigars, and has a myriad of iconic brands that you are sure to recognize as the best in quality.
Ed is a true cigar lover who enjoys the quality of a fine cigar, as well as the lifestyle associated with the premium cigar industry. You often will find him enjoying one of the many handcrafted General Cigar brands like CAO, Cohiba, Partagas, or Punch along with a glass of scotch or whiskey.
The Pairings:
Bourbon: Willett Pot Still Reserve - Partagas 1845
Malt: Leviathan II (Lost Spirits Distillery - Monterey) - La Gloria Serie R
